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International Mountain Day

International Mountain Day 2010

International Mountain Day is an opportunity to create awareness about the importance of mountains to life, to highlight the opportunities and constraints in mountain development and to build partnerships that will bring positive change to the world’s mountains and highlands.

The United Nations General Assembly has designated 11 December, from 2003 onwards, as “International Mountain Day”. This decision results from the success of the UN International Year of Mountains in 2002, which increased global awareness of the importance of mountains, stimulated the establishment of national committees in 78 countries and strengthened alliances through promoting the creation of the International Partnership for Sustainable Development in Mountain Regions, known as the 'Mountain Partnership (WSSD, Johannesburg, 2 September 2002). FAO was the designated lead coordinating agency for International Year of Mountains and is mandated to lead observance of International Mountain Day.

3 november 2010

Dear Colleague,

The United Nations General Assembly has designated 11 December, from 2003 onwards, as the “International Mountain Day”. It is observed every year with a different theme relevant to sustainable mountain development. The theme for the International Mountain Day 2010 is “Mountain Minorities and Indigenous Peoples”. It aims to raise awareness about indigenous peoples and minorities who live in mountain environments and the relevance of their cultural heritage, traditions and customs.

This year’s International Mountain Day provides an apt occasion to reflect on how important it is to empower indigenous communities and help them promote and preserve traditional knowledge, including sciences, agricultural practices, responses to global change, medicines and health practices, fauna and flora, oral traditions, crafts and arts.

Please find enclosed communication and promotional material prepared by FAO to help you celebrate this special event and to share it with your relevant key-partners. For any further information or specific questions related to this year’s theme, please contact Sara Manuelli (Sara.Manuelli@fao.org) or mountain-day@fao.org.

In the follow-up to the International Mountain Day 2010 please do not forget to send us a report about the celebrations of the Day in your country or institution. Also we would very much appreciate receiving feedback on the relevance and usefulness of the communication materials we have provided.

Yours faithtfully,

José Antonio Prado

Director

Forest Assessment, Management and

Conservation Division

Fax: +39-06-57055 137

E-mail: mountain-day@fao.org

What are UN International Days?

Since the early days of the United Nations system, the UN has established a set of days (as well as weeks, years and decades) to help focus the world on the issues in which the UN has an interest and commitment. The UN calls on member states and other organizations to mark these days in ways which reflect their priorities. Read more...